Anti-scuff grid

ABSTRACT

A surface covering having panels supported by a grid framework. The grid framework is formed by a plurality of grid members, each having a main body. The main body of one or more grid member includes scuffing material. An anti-scuffing material is adhered to the portion of the main body containing the scuffing material. The anti-scuffing material prevents the transfer of material from the main body of the grid member to a panel during installation of the panel into the grid framework.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to surface covering systems.More particularly, the invention relates to a surface covering system inwhich the panels of the system are scuff protected from the grid membersof the grid framework.

Surface covering systems include, but are not limited to, ceilingsystems and wall systems. The grid framework for such surface coveringsystems is typically formed of interlocking perpendicularly intersectingframing members, herein referred interchangeably as grid members. Thegrid members, which are conventionally made of metal materials such asraw aluminum or galvanized steel, form a plurality of openings intowhich panels, lighting fixtures and the like can be inserted. One typeof panel used in such surface covering systems is of the type which isinserted into the grid framework from the side of the grid frameworkopposite the living area. This type of panel is commonly referred to asa “lay-in panel”.

Lay-in panels typically include a paint finish for aesthetic purposes.During installation, a lay-in panel is likely to come into contact withthe grid members that form the opening into which the panel is inserted.This contact often results in an undesired transfer of material from thegrid member to the panel. This transfer of material is commonly referredto as a scuffing mark. Scuffing marks of this nature are objectionableto the owners of the installation and cause a significant amount ofcustomer dissatisfaction. Scuffing marks typically cannot be removedwithout altering the paint finish and, thus, must be repainted orreplaced. As a result, scuffing marks which happen during installationcause considerable expense to the manufacturers and fabricators forreplacement of the defective product. Accordingly, it would beadvantageous to provide a solution which avoids the problem of scuffing.

SUMMARY

The present invention comprises a surface covering having a gridframework and a plurality of panels supported by the grid framework. Thegrid framework is formed by a plurality of grid members, each having amain body. At least a portion of the surface of the main body of atleast one grid member includes a scuffing material. The system furtherincludes a anti-scuffing material which is adhered to at least theportion of the main body which includes the scuffing material. Theanti-scuffing material effectively prevents the transfer of materialfrom the main body of the grid member to a panel during installation ofthe panel into the openings in the grid framework.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a first example embodiment ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For purposes of this disclosure, the terms non-scuffing andanti-scuffing are used interchangeably.

FIG. 1 illustrates a grid member 10 of a conventional grid framework.The grid member 10 includes a main body 12 and an anti-scuffing material20 adhered to the main body 12. In the example embodiment, at least thesurface of the top portion 14 of the main body 12 contains a scuffingmaterial. In this configuration, the top portion 14 of the main body 12has a bulb-like configuration, which is typical of many conventionalgrid members. Regardless of the configuration of the top portion 14, inorder to maintain a clearance sufficient to permit insertion of a panelinto the grid framework, the anti-scuffing material 20 preferablyconforms, at least substantially, to the top portion 14 of the main body12. In the likely event a panel comes in contact, e.g. rubbing contact,with the grid member 10 while being installed, the non-scuffing material20 prevents the transfer of material from the surface of the top portion14 of the main body 12 to the panel.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the anti-scuffing material 20 can be in theform of a pliable, durable, self-adhering tape, such as polyvinylchloride tape. Alternatively, the non-scuffing material may be appliedas a coating composition. Such a coating composition can be applieddirectly by spray, brush, sponge or roll coater and then, if necessary,cured with heat or permitted to dry at room temperature.

Materials which provide anti-scuff properties to the film include vinylpolymers, acrylics, epoxies, urethanes, melamines, polyesters,polyamides, natural polymers, and modified natural polymers. Theanti-scuff materials can include, but are not limited to, one or more ofthe following monomers: vinyl acetate, vinyl propinoate, vinyl butyrate,vinylidene fluoride, vinyl chloride, vinyl bromide, ethyl acrylate,methyl acrylate, propyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate,methyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, acrylonitrile, isocyanate,urethane, epoxy, ethylene, methylene, propylene, styrene, butadiene,melamine, urea, phenol, esters, ethers, carbonates, amides, silicones,alkyds, and maleic acid or anhydride. The natural polymers includeproteins, such as milk or soy protein, and carbohydrate polymers, suchas starch. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the non-scuffingfilm 20 is illustrated as a pliable, durable strip of self-adheringtape, such as polyvinyl chloride tape.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A surface covering system comprising: a grid framework formed by aplurality of grid members, at least one of the plurality of grid membershaving a surface comprising a scuffing material; a plurality of panelsinstalled in the grid framework; and an anti-scuffing material, theanti-scuffing material being adhered to a grid member surface having thescuffing material.
 2. The surface covering system of claim 1, whereinthe anti-scuffing material is adhered to a top portion of the at leastone of the plurality of grid members having a surface comprising thescuffing material.
 3. The surface covering system of claim 1, whereinthe anti-scuffing material prevents scuffing of the plurality of panelsduring installation.
 4. The surface covering system of claim 1, whereinthe anti-scuffing material is a film which includes a polymer whichimparts anti-scuffing properties.
 5. The surface covering system ofclaim 1, wherein the film is a pliable, durable strip of tape.
 6. Thesurface covering system of claim 5, wherein the polymer is selected fromthe group consisting of vinyl polymers, acrylics, epoxies, urethanes,melamines, polyesters, polyamides, natural polymers, modified naturalpolymers and combinations thereof.
 7. The surface covering system ofclaim 6, wherein the polymer includes at least one monomer selected fromthe group consisting of vinyl acetate, vinyl propinoate, vinyl butyrate,vinylidene fluoride, vinyl chloride, vinyl bromide, ethyl acrylate,methyl acrylate, propyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate,methyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, acrylonitrile, isocyanate,urethane, epoxy, ethylene, methylene, propylene, styrene, butadiene,melamine, urea, phenol, esters, ethers, carbonates, amides, silicones,alkyds, and maleic acid or anhydride.
 8. The surface covering system ofclaim 6, wherein the natural polymers are selected from the groupconsisting of protein and carbohydrate polymer.
 9. The surface coveringof claim 8, wherein the protein is selected from the group consisting ofmilk and soy protein.
 10. The surface covering of claim 8, wherein thecarbohydrate polymer is starch.
 11. A grid framework for a surfacecovering system comprising: a plurality a grid members comprising ascuffing material, an anti-scuffing material, the anti-scuffing materialbeing adhered to at least one of the plurality of grid members.
 12. Thegrid framework of claim 11, wherein the scuffing material is selectedfrom the group consisting of raw aluminum and galvanized steel.
 13. Thegrid framework of claim 11, wherein the anti-scuffing material isadhered to a top portion of the at least one of the plurality of gridmembers.
 14. The grid framework of claim 11, wherein the anti-scuffingmaterial is a film which includes a polymer.
 15. The grid framework ofclaim 14, wherein the film is a pliable, durable strip of tape.
 16. Agrid member comprising: a main body having a surface comprising ascuffing material, an anti-scuffing material adhered to at least aportion of the surface comprising the scuffing material.
 17. The gridmember of claim 16, wherein the scuffing material is selected from thegroup consisting of raw aluminum and galvanized steel.
 18. The gridmember of claim 16, wherein the anti-scuffing member is a film whichincludes a polymer.
 19. The grid member of claim 18, wherein the film isa pliable, durable strip of material.
 20. The grid member of claim 18,wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of vinylpolymers, acrylics, epoxies, urethanes, melamines, polyesters,polyamides, natural polymers, modified natural polymers and combinationsthereof.
 21. The grid member of claim 20, wherein the polymer includesat least one monomer selected from the group consisting of vinylacetate, vinyl propinoate, vinyl butyrate, vinylidene fluoride, vinylchloride, vinyl bromide, ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, propylacrylate, butyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate,hydroxyethyl acrylate, acrylonitrile, isocyanate, urethane, epoxy,ethylene, methylene, propylene, styrene, butadiene, melamine, urea,phenol, esters, ethers, carbonates, amides, silicones, alkyds, andmaleic acid or anhydride.